Apparel with integrated eyewear pocket

ABSTRACT

A garment or article of apparel such as a shirt or jacket that includes a concealed pocket ideal for holding eyewear or other narrow items such as a pen. In one embodiment, a concealed pocket is attached to the garment and integrated into the stitching of the placket of the garment in an inconspicuous manner to maintain the original look of the garment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/790,502, filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to apparel with an eyewear pocket. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide for clothing with a concealed pocket designed to hold and protect eyewear.

2. Description of the Related Art

Individuals wearing eyewear may wish to remove and replace them multiple times during the day. Eyewear may be corrective eyeglasses, sunglasses, or reading glasses. Removal of the eyewear may be temporary so it is desirable to keep them nearby and readily available so it is convenient to replace them as needed. Common methods of storing eyewear when not in use include, rotating the eyewear so the lenses are supported on the user's head, hanging the eyewear around the neck by a chain or strap, hanging the eyewear from a button hole the v-neck of a shirt. Storing the eyewear in manners such as these tend to be unsightly and the eyewear can be easily lost, damaged or broken when the eyewear tumbles out and away from these unsecured locations as the user bends down or moves quickly.

One of the most common methods of storing eyewear is to store the eyewear in a shirt or pants pocket. However, the eyewear does not fit securely when stored in a pocket and may become bent in a pants pocket or fall out of a shirt pocket when an individual bends over. In addition, many styles of sports shirts, dress shirts, blouses and other garments do not have pockets.

There remains a need for a convenient, practical and inconspicuous way to conceal and store eyewear in apparel in such a way that can be easily retrieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for apparel with sleeve of material such as pocket ideal for holding eyewear or other narrow items such as a pen. Particularly, embodiments of the invention provide a concealed pocket to be integrated into the stitching of the placket of the garment. The pocket can be inconspicuous and maintain the original look of the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a collared sport shirt with a concealed pocket with eyewear placed therein, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1A is an enlarged cross sectional view of the concealed pocket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a dress shirt according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2A-2B are enlarged cross sectional views of embodiments of the concealed pocket of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a dress shirt according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a dress shirt with a flap covering the shirt buttons with a concealed pocket integrated therein, according to another embodiment of the invention.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally provide for apparel with a sleeve of material such as a concealed pocket ideal for holding eyewear or other narrow items such as a pen. In one embodiment, a concealed pocket is attached to the garment and integrated into the stitching of the placket of the garment in an inconspicuous manner to maintain the original look of the garment. The stitching securing the concealed pocket in the shirt is preferably integrated into the seam of the placket or other seam of the garment to hide the addition of the pocket. Polo shirts and button type shirts illustrated in the drawings and described herein are merely representative of garments which benefit from the features described and claimed herein. Other garments that could feature the concealed pocket would include but are not limited to sweatshirts, jackets and blouses.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a collared sport shirt. Shirt 100 includes a front panel 110 with placket 180 that provides buttons for closing the garment. A concealed pocket 120 designed to securely hold eyewear 130 is attached at least to the lower end of a horizontal seam for placket 180. Opening 140 at the lower end of placket 180 and as wide as placket 180 provides an inconspicuous opening to pass the eyewear therethrough and into concealed pocket 120. Preferably, opening 140 to pocket 120 may be a narrow slit integrated into the structure of the placket so as minimize the appearance of the opening and maintain the traditional look and lines of the shirt.

FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view of the concealed pocket with eyewear placed therein. The pocket 120 hangs down behind and is concealed by a rear side 115 of panel 110. The pocket consists of front wall 150 and rear wall 151 peripherally stitched by thread 170 on all sides except the top where the pocket 120 is attached to the lower end of placket 180. The stitching of the upper end of pocket 120 is preferably integrated into the seam stitching 160 of placket 180. The pocket 120, and thus the walls 150 and 151, may also be fabricated from a sleeve of material where stitching is not needed except along one side wall and the bottom, or just along the bottom. Opening 140 at the lower end of placket 180 and as wide as placket 180 provides an inconspicuous opening 140 to pass the eyewear therethrough and into concealed pocket 120. Preferably, opening 140 to pocket 120 may be a narrow slit integrated into the structure of the placket so as minimize the appearance of the opening and maintain the traditional look and lines of the shirt.

Preferably, the pocket 120 is configured to completely receive the eyewear such that the eyewear does not protrude out of the pocket as would be typical when placing eyewear in a conventional breast pocket of a shirt. Additionally, although not shown, the width of concealed pocket 120 may be wider than opening 140 and wider than placket 180 such that the eyewear would catch the upper edge of the pocket and opening 140 so as not to slip out of the pocket should the user bend over at the waist, for example. Preferably. The pocket 120 and shirt 100 are manufactured out of the same material, although the pocket and shirt may each be manufactured using different materials as desired.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of shirt 200 having a placket 180 running the full length of the front of the shirt. Placket 180 is attached to front panels 245 and 246 with buttons 188 provided as fasteners. Opening 140 and concealed pocket 120 configured to hold eyewear 130 is secured behind placket 180.

FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of embodiments of concealed pocket of FIG. 2 with eyewear 130 placed therein. The pocket 120 hangs down behind and is concealed by placket 180. Placket 180 has a rear section 182 and front section 181. Rear section 182 supports buttons 188. Front section 181 includes buttonholes that buttons 188 are passed therethrough to secure the front and rear sections 181 and 182 of placket 180. Preferably, the top of wall 150 near opening 140 is attached to the inside of rear section 182 by stitching 166. Pocket 120 hangs down freely inside the shirt hidden from view behind rear section 182.

FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view of additional embodiments of the concealed pocket of FIG. 2. A horizontal slit 144 in rear section 182 of placket 180 corresponds with opening 140 providing access to pocket 120. Stitching 166 attaches wall 150 to the inside of rear section 182 below slit 144. Stitching 167 attaches wall 151 to rear section 182 above slit 144. Pocket 120 and horizontal slit 144 are hidden by front section 181 when placket 180 is closed by buttons 188.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of shirt 300 having a placket 180 running the full length of the front of the shirt. Concealed pocket 120 is secured at least along the seam stitching line 161 that defines the placket 181 of front panel 311. Opening 140 may be optionally provided through front panel 311 providing access to concealed pocket 140. Any stitching surrounding opening 140 may also help to secure pocket 120 in place by securing the opening in the front panel to an opening in the wall of the pocket. Opening 140 may be a horizontal slit in the front panel 311, or may be a vertical slit 141 positioned along the stitching of the placket to further conceal the slit. In embodiments where an opening 140 such as a horizontal or vertical slit is employed, the top of the pocket may be closed and sealed by stitching. Access to the pocket is through a matching slit in the front wall of pocket 120 at a location corresponding with the slit in the front panel. Alternatively, pocket 120 may not include opening 140 on front panel 311, but pocket 120 may be accessed by reaching inside of shirt 200 to the back of panel 311 where opening 140 is the top of pocket 120 providing access to place eyewear within pocket 120. In embodiments where the top of concealed pocket 120 is open, such a design may include a button or flap structure at the top of the pocket or sleeve, or may provide for other retainers or fasteners for securing the eyewear within the pocket. In additional embodiments, full placket 181 and pocket 120 may include other fasteners such as a zippers, snaps or clasps as an alternative to buttons.

Pocket 120 may be positioned at any point along placket 180, but is preferably placed for convenient access to the pocket and its contents such as at the height that corresponds to the height of a standard breast pocket. In embodiments where the pocket does not include an opening through the front panel 111, the pocket 120 is preferably placed at a location along the placket where the opening of the pocket is near a button, snap or clasp providing easy access for the user.

FIG. 4 illustrates another shirt type and location of a pocket. Shirt 400 provides a full placket 180 with a separate flange or flap 183 running the length of the placket and hiding buttons 188 when placket 180 is closed. Pocket 120 is positioned in front of placket 180 and yet is hidden from view behind flap 183. Pocket 120 is secured in place to panel 411 at least along seam 161 of placket 180. Preferably, access to opening 140 is provided behind flap 183. Alternatively, access to opening 140 of concealed pocket 120 is through a horizontal or vertical slit (not shown) through the front of flap 183.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. 

1. A garment including a pocket, comprising; a front panel; a placket; and a pocket having a front wall and back wall affixed to a seam of the placket so that the front wall and back wall of the pocket are concealed from view by the front panel.
 2. The garment of claim 1, further comprising an opening for the pocket integrated into the seam of the placket.
 3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pocket freely hangs down from the seam of the placket behind the front panel.
 4. The garment of claim 2, wherein the opening for the pocket is a horizontal slit integrated into a lower seam of the placket.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the pocket is elongated to completely receive a set of eyewear.
 6. The garment of claim 2, wherein the pocket has a width greater than the opening in the seam of the placket.
 7. A garment including a pocket, comprising a front panel; a placket that runs the length of the front panel; and a pocket having a front wall and back wall affixed to a seam of the placket so that the front wall and back wall of the pocket are concealed from view by the front panel.
 8. The garment of claim 7, further comprising an opening for the pocket integrated into the seam of the placket.
 9. The garment of claim 7, further comprising an opening for the pocket integrated into front panel of the garment.
 10. The garment of claim 7, wherein the pocket freely hangs behind the front panel from the seam of the placket.
 11. The garment of claim 9, wherein the opening for the pocket is a horizontal slit integrated into the front panel of the garment.
 12. The garment of claim 8, wherein the opening for the pocket is a vertical slit integrated into the front panel of the garment.
 13. The garment of claim 7, wherein the pocket is elongated to completely receive a set of eyewear.
 14. A garment including a pocket, comprising a front panel; a placket having fasteners; a flap that runs the length of the placket covering at least a portion of the fasteners; and a pocket having a front wall and back wall affixed to a seam of the placket so that the front wall and back wall of the pocket are concealed from view by the flap.
 15. The garment of claim 14, further comprising an opening for the pocket integrated into the seam of the placket.
 16. The garment of claim 14, further comprising an opening for the pocket integrated into the flap.
 17. The garment of claim 14, wherein the pocket freely hangs behind the front flap from the seam of the placket.
 18. The garment of claim 16, wherein the opening for the pocket is a horizontal slit integrated into the flap.
 19. The garment of claim 16, wherein the opening for the pocket is a vertical slit integrated into the seam of the flap and the placket.
 20. The garment of claim 14, wherein the pocket is elongated to completely receive a set of eyewear. 